Visually Impaired Students to Participate in March
12 Technology Olympics in Waco
WACO, TEXAS-- With braillewriters ready,
laptops open, and pencils sharpened, 45-50 students
with visual impairments will participate in the 11th
Annual Technology Olympics. Co-sponsored by the Education
Service Center (ESC) Region 12 and the Division for
Blind Services (formerly know as Texas Commission
for the Blind), the event will take place from 9
a.m. - 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 12 at ESC
Region 12, 2101 W. Loop 340, in Waco. This event is one
of just a few in the state of Texas.
Technology, especially assistive technology
demonstrated at this event, plays an important role
in making the print medium accessible to these students.
The technological advances made each year allow students
to overcome obstacles they may face from visual impairment.
Assistive technology activities will include students
taking tests and using adaptive devices, such as
an electronic notetaker, monocular, laptop with speech
and magnification programs or a braillewriter to
complete various tasks. The number of correct answers
for each project will determine whether a child wins
a gold, silver, or bronze medallion.
“Assistive technology allows
students with disabilities access to the general
education curriculum and the ability to perform tasks
like any other student and that is important to the
success of every child,” said Nancy
Shampo,
education specialist for ESC Region 12. “The
event is so unique because it is an opportunity for
the students to make new friends with others using
assistive technology at a time when they may be the
only child with a visual impairment in their school.”
The event will include a creative writing
and art section, which gives students an open-ended
opportunity to express themselves without the fear
of making mistakes. Participating parents will also
have the chance to experience daily activities like
making a sandwich under a blindfold. This unique
experience allows parents and guardians to participate
in a simulation that mimics visual impairments, which
teaches parents how they can better assist their
children with performing daily living tasks, such
as eating, house work, and personal grooming. This
year information about postsecondary options and
career exploration will be available to parents of
secondary students as well. The event is free and
open to pre-registered participants only.
As an in-kind sponsor, the Waco Founder’s
Lions Club will supply trophies and medals, which
they have done for the past 10 years. The local service
group will also provide lunch for the students and
parents.
Onsite photo and interview opportunities
are available with attendees only with onsite parental
or guardian permission. Event staff will also be
available for the media. Please check in at registration
upon arrival.
For more information about the event,
contact Nancy Shampo at ESC Region 12 at 254/297.1161
or nshampo@esc12.net or
Rita Finlay and Ted York at the Division for Blind
Services at (254) 753-1552 or rita.finlay@dars.state.tx.us.
| Tentative Event Schedule: |
| 9:00 – 9:30 |
Registration & Set-up for First
Competition |
| 9:30 – 9:45 |
Opening Ceremony & Proclamation |
| 9:45 – 10:45 |
First Competition & Parent Simulation Experience |
| 11:00 – 11:10 |
Set-up for Second Competition |
| 11:10 – 12:10 |
Second Competition & Parent Simulation
Experience |
| 12:10 – 12:45 |
Lunch |
| 12:45 – 2:00 |
Awards Ceremony |
About ESC Region 12
One of 20 centers
throughout Texas, the Education Service Center (ESC)
Region 12 provides professional training and technical
assistance for the purpose of improving student performance
for all students. Based in Waco, with offices in,
Corsicana, Goldthwaite, Hillsboro, Nolanville and
Teague, the ESC Region 12’s service area includes
Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton,
Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, Mills, McLennan and Navarro
counties.
About DARS Division for Blind Services
The DARS Division for Blind Services (DBS) assists
blind or visually impaired individuals and their
families. Depending upon their goals and needs, DBS
offers services to help regain independence or find
a job.
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